Study Finds Chiropractic Care More Helpful Than NSAIDs

Experts estimate that 80 percent of Americans will experience low-back pain at some point in their lives, and research again finds chiropractic care to be a more effective treatment for that pain. A recent study, jointly conducted by the Competence Center for Clinical Studies and the Institute for Biometrics in Bremen, Germany, compared 101 patients with low-back pain to judge the therapeutic value of spinal adjustments (the most common form of treatment provided by chiropractors) versus treatment with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The rigorous, double-blind study split patients into three groups; a control group receiving placebo treatments, patients given controlled spinal adjustments, and a group treated with a commonly prescribed NSAID, diclofenac. Analysis of the resultant data concluded that the chiropractic spinal adjustment group experienced a significantly higher rate of relief than the NSAID or control groups. In the past, studies have also found chiropractic care to be less expensive than medical treatment. It is now estimated that medical costs for back pain in the US exceed $50 billion a year.

Kids Menus Fail Nutrition Guidelines

A new study of restaurant entrees for U.S. children finds the majority of offerings fail to meet basic nutritional guidelines. The study, published by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, analyzed kids menu offerings from the 50 most popular US restaurant chains, including Chipotle Mexican Grill, Dairy Queen, Hardee’s, McDonald’s, Panda Express, Perkins Family Restaurants and Popeye’s. They concluded that 97 percent of the menu items fell short of the nutritional standards for children recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The CSPI researchers pointed out that the meals uniformly contained too many calories, too much salt, too much fat and routinely omitted fruits and vegetables. The news comes as no surprise to public health officials, who currently estimate that one-third of American children are overweight or obese. Kid entrees that were singled out for special attention included Ruby Tuesday’s macaroni and cheese and Applebee’s grilled cheese sandwich. The only national chain to meet the CSPI guidelines was Subway, whose ‘Fresh Fit For Kids’ combo meals offered children healthier sides choices like apple slices, and alternatives to soda, including low-fat milk or bottled water.

Your Dog, Your Exercise Partner?

Working out with your pet is a growing trend in the physical fitness community and health researchers like the idea. The past few years have seen several new dog-friendly fitness centers open, including K9 Fit Club, a chain with locations in Illinois, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Florida. The club offers fitness classes for humans and dogs including, ‘Bow Wow Bootcamp’ and ‘Pupilates’. The idea of working out with your pet is also being taken more seriously by public health officials desperate to get overweight Americans to exercise. The Center for Disease Control recommends adults 18 - 64 get at least two and a half hours of moderate physical exercise a week, but recent estimates suggest that more than 80 percent of US adults fail to meet these guidelines. However, a 2011 Michigan State University study found that people with dogs met the standards 34 percent more than non-pet owners. The Michigan study suggested that beyond the necessity of attending to the pets needs, the pets provided their owners the motivation and companionship many need to stay active. They also suggested that the pets non-judgmental companionship may offer therapeutic benefits to the morbidly obese and others whose self-image issues keep them away from the gym.

Legislation to Further Integrate Chiropractic Services Introduced in Congress

Arlington, Va.—The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) today announced that its work with key congressional supporters has resulted in several important pieces of pro-chiropractic legislation being introduced in the 113th U.S. Congress. These bills, if enacted into law, would increase patient access to the services provided by chiropractic physicians.

The first legislative initiative, the “Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act”, was introduced in the Senate (as S. 422) by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). Its House companion bill, H.R. 921, was introduced by Rep. Mike Michaud (D-Maine), a ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. The bills would require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to have a chiropractic physician on staff at all major medical facilities by 2016.

The second ACA supported bill is H.R. 741, the “Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Beneficiaries Act,” introduced by Reps. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) and Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa). This legislation would extend chiropractic services to military retirees, dependents and survivors as part of TRICARE. H.R. 741 defines “chiropractic services” as diagnosis (including X-ray tests), evaluation and management, and therapeutic services for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal health conditions. The legislation specifically notes that chiropractic services may only be provided by a doctor of chiropractic (DC).

Another recently introduced bill—the “Chiropractic Membership in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Act of 2013” (H.R. 171), introduced by Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas)—would benefit the public and the chiropractic profession by requiring the inclusion of DCs in the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps. USPHS is an elite team of more than 6,000 well-trained, highly qualified public health professionals dedicated to delivering the nation’s public health promotion and disease prevention programs and advancing public health science.

The final ACA supported bill is H.R. 702, the “Access to Frontline Health Care Act,” which would establish a new program to help chiropractic physicians and other select health care providers repay their student loans if, in exchange, they establish and maintain practices in medically underserved areas. ACA has worked closely with Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), the sponsor of the bill, to ensure that chiropractic physicians are specified as qualifying for the program.

“Those who have made sacrifices for our country—especially veterans, active-duty military and their family members—deserve access to the best health care available, which includes chiropractic services,” said ACA President Keith Overland, DC. “I am urging every chiropractic physician, chiropractic student and chiropractic supporter to contact their congressional representatives and urge them to cosponsor these bills and to help military families in need.”The American Chiropractic Association (ACA), celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2013, is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic. ACA promotes the highest standards of patient care and professional ethics, and supports research that contributes to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients. Visit www.acatoday.org.